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Thursday, March 29, 2018

Cholera Comes to Canada

Yes, you read that correctly. Cholera and
Canada are not words you read together with any frequency these days. In the 1800’s, Cholera killed at least
20,000. Today in my province we may see
one case per year and even then, all cases have been found to be as a result of
being exposed to cholera in a country where it is endemic.

Cholera is caused by eating or drinking food or water
contaminated with fecal matter. The infection can result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and
even lead to extreme dehydration and death.While there have not been any reported deaths, this is exactly what has happened in
Canada’s most western province, British Columbia (BC).While not a huge number, at least four people
have been infected with cholera last week.It is believed that the illness
is tied to eating herring eggs that were harvested on the coast of
Vancouver Island.

Herring and herring eggs
have always been an important part of the BC fishery. On the coast, herring eggs
are gathered using hemlock branches, seaweed or on kelp. They are nutritious
and delicious and are part of an important industry for many coastal communities.For many, herring egg season is often highly
anticipated with people waiting on the docks for their first taste of the
season.

Unfortunately this
year, shortly after spawning and
collection of the eggs, a public warning was issued by health authorities
after four confirmed cases of cholera on Vancouver Island linked to the
consumption of herring eggs.The warning
advises people not to eat herring eggs from French Creek to Qualicum Bay on the
east coast of Vancouver Island and as a result of the warning, the Department
of Fisheries has issued an emergency closure of herring egg harvest in the
area.The outbreak is associated only
with eating herring eggs laid in marine environments such as those deposited on
kelp, not herring eggs harvested directly from fish. The bacteria that causes
cholera is not killed by freezing so people are being asked to have their
herring eggs tested before eating.

Thankfully, no new
cases of cholera have been identified, but this outbreak highlights the fact
that our oceans, lakes and rivers are under pressure from our abuse and
misuse.We need to pull up our socks and
treat our resources with respect because if we don’t, they will bite back!